The Australian government has awarded Naval Ship Management (NSM), a 50/50 joint venture between Babcock and UGL, a contract for the maintenance of the Royal Australian Navy’s two Canberra-class landing helicopter docks. The contract is worth around AU$1.5 billion, according to Babcock, and has an i
BAE Systems Australia formally opened a new shipside support tower at its Henderson facility on November 30. The $5 million, multi-level support tower was opened by defense industry minister Steven Ciobo. The structure will initially support the ANZAC Mid Life Capability (AMCAP) upgrade program bein
The navies of Singapore and Malaysia concluded the week-long bilateral maritime exercise Malapura which took place in the Malacca Strait. The shore phase, which included the opening ceremony, joint planning and training, was held from 26 to 27 November 2018 at Lumut Naval Base, Malaysia. This was fo
Leaks in HNoMS Helge Ingstad’s watertight compartments could be responsible for the frigate’s sinking following a collision in the Hjeltefjorden fjord, a preliminary report from the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) suggests. In addition to blaming the vessel’s lack of watertight integri
The first Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate to undergo the Anzac Mid Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade was undocked at BAE Systems’ Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. HMAS Arunta entered water on November 30, after a 14-month refit period which started in December 2017
Australia will deploy a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Japan next week to conduct maritime surveillance in support of North Korea sanctions, the Australian defense minister has announced. The MPA will support the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions
After concluding a visit to the Algerian port of Algiers last week, NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) arrived in Marmaris, Turkey, for a port call on November 27. The group is conducting the visits after resuming regular Mediterranean Sea patrols following their participation in NATO’s major
Japan is considering turning one of its helicopter destroyers into a “multi-purpose aircraft carrier” as part of a review of the country’s National Defense Program Guidelines, Japan’s defense minister Takeshi Iwaya has confirmed. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the defense minister said the countr
Surface combatants from the US Navy’s USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) carrier strike group have completed the Navy’s first East Coast Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Cruiser-Destroyer (CRUDES) Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise. “The first East Coast SWATT is a milestone event not o
Northrop Grumman Corporation has joined forces with Harris Corporation and Comtech PST for the US Navy’s Next Generation Jammer–Low Band (NJG-LB) competition. The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Northrop Grumman a $35 million, 20-month contract to demonstrate existing jammer capability fo
The Indian Navy has successfully completed air transportability trials for the first of two submarine rescue systems being delivered by James Fisher Defence. The completion of the trials represents a significant milestone in the delivery of a comprehensive submarine rescue capability to the Indian N
German Navy combat support ship EGV Bonn is getting underway from her Wilhelmshaven homeport on November 30 to join NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) in the Aegean Sea. The 173-meter-long Berlin-class replenishment ship is joining SNMG2 after completing an overhaul which started in August 20
Navy ships deployed to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) stopped in Karlskrona, Sweden, for a port visit from November 23 to 25. The port visit included visits to local military and civilian officials as well as tours of the ships f
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri held a keel laying ceremony for the first Qatari Navy Doha-class corvette at its Muggiano shipyard on Tuesday. The ceremony was attended, among others, by Brig. Mubarak Al Sulaiti, Deputy Chief of the Flotilla, on behalf of the Chief of the Navy, welcomed by Angelo Fu